Armenian Herbal Teas have a long history dating back from 7000 years ago. Tea-making in Armenia was spiced up with traditions and science and is one of the antiquities of the nation.

One of the unique features of ancient tea-making are the following: collect, process and blend by hand. 3500 years ago, people living in the area of Historical Armenia used to combine wild crafted Quince, Blackberry, Zizifora and Mint leaves and used to mix with Wild Absent as a hot beverage. All these ingredients are historically recognized as Armenian Sacred Herbs and used to grow only in Armenia. According to the ancient manuscripts the ingredients of this blend have an immediate anti-stress and antispasmodic effect and good for blood purity and mind refreshing.

Day 1

Arrival at Yerevan early in the morning. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in Yerevan. Time to rest.

Breakfast ServedOur journey in the territories of Armenia begins today in Yerevan – the capital, one of the ancient cities in the world. Erebouni Fortress was founded in 782 BC.

Continuing the city tour, your second stop is Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide.

Next stop is Cascade, which is a huge white staircase built on the Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central district to Haghtanak Park –“Victory” Park. The structure has escalators and it is very easy to ascend all the way to the top.

Today lunchwill be provided in a special restaurant inside the Megerian Carpet Factory, where you will have the opportunity to taste Armenian traditional meals with old recipes from “Araratyan Khohanots” – “Armenian Cuisine”. “MEGERIAN RUGS” Factory & Show room: Which brings together time-honored traditions and a range of exquisite aesthetics to create objects of art for modern living and you will become acquainted with the ancient technology of Armenian carpet making.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 2

Breakfast served

This morning you will travel to Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia. Later on, we will reach Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex (12-13th centuries) (UNESCO), carved out of one monolithic rock. During the day you will witness the traditional Armenian table and have Lunchwith a traditional table/lavash making:“Eat thy bread with joy” in Geghard

After Lunch Tea Ceremony!

You will enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia with close to 17,000 rare manuscripts, one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 3

Rest in relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, enjoy herbal teas and harvest the key ingredients in the wild forest from where Ancient Herbals came from…

Today we will be on an “Ancient Herbal Tea” tour in the heart of Tavush region, in Dilijan.

Breakfast served and CHECK OUT

From the morning we’ll drive from Yerevan to Lake Sevan. The lake is considered to be one of the biggest lakes in the world with sweet water, situated at the altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. A gorgeous view of Lake Sevan is seen from the peninsula atop which the Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to the 9th century.

After Sevan we are going to visit Dilijan (referred to as, a piece of Switzerland in Armenia) as we continue our journey across Armenia’s fascinating landscapes, with lush environs as well as the site of one of Armenia’s most important resort towns and national parks.

Here in Dilijan we will follow the old traditions. In old times harvesting and blending was done entirely by hand. We are going to use traditional methods that have been followed for thousands of years.

Lunch/picnic and tea ceremony!

There is an old town with unique architecture and wonderfully preserved workshops. You’ll also visit the romantic setting of the 10-13th centuries Monastery of Goshavank.

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OVERNIGHT IN DILIJAN

Day 4

Herbal teas in Armenia are known as wild-crafted since the harvestiesting, timing, technology of plant harvesting have been passed on from generation to generation. All our harvesters have the habit of singing traditional harvest folksongs which can be heard in the fields as they work. The harvesting of wild flowers begins in late April and continues until the end of August. Depending on the climate conditions, harvest season may stretch until late September and early October.

Breakfast served and CHECK OUT

After Breakfast we leave Dilijan for Tatev Monastery in the early morning. On the way, you will admire a splendid view of the area which passes via one of the principal routes of the “Great Silk Road” – Vardenisyan (Selim) Pass, linking the eastern region of Gegharkunik to the southern region of Vayots Dzor.

You have a chance to see the unique inn founded as a transit point of the caravan routes. Armenians say – “The stone is our wealth”. You will realize it visiting Noraduz– the valley of hundreds of stone-crosses -“khachkars”, the typical examples of this unique art of stone-carving. The elegant and beautiful patterns are never repeated or copied. This kind of stone art occurs only in Armenian architecture.

Lunch.

Karahunge 7000-year-old Observatory: an uncannily similar construction to the English Stonehenge but more ancient. Clouded in mystery, the ancient stone circle of Karahunge is an amazing feat of engineering and the most important pre-historic site in Armenia, but beyond its archeological significance and possible astronomical role, Karahunge also holds a mystical charm.

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OVERNIGHT IN GORIS

Day 5

Breakfast served and CHECK OUT

The location of the Armenian highlands is in the mountainous region falling between the Black and Caspian Seas. This fact is already a proof to the fact that the wild herbs and herbal teas have been one of the main occupations of the inhabitants living in this area. Our teas are derived from one of the world’s oldest herbal traditions: that of Armenia, an ancient civilization at the crossroads of East and West.

Today we will continue our trip to the South

The Aerial Tramway of Tatev – spanning 5.7 kilometers across the spectacular Vorotan River Gorge, offers a spectacular journey with breathtaking views of the river gorge below, but most significantly, it will link you to one of the jewels of Armenia’s medieval legacy – Tatev Monastery. The Tatev Aerial Tramway – the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world – is poised to be one of southern Armenia’s most popular attractions. As you approach, you will have a picturesque view of the monastery nestled at the top of an impregnable plateau, crowned by the ramparts walls from the upper part of the territory. After you will have time to discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th c., becoming an important religious and educational center of medieval Armenia in 9-10th c… Lunch

After we shall stop in Khndzoresk, a cave village and exotic rock formations. This village looks like a vertical multi-storied rocky amphitheater. Troglodytic dwelling at Khndzoresk – from the Prehistoric era.

OVERNIGHT IN GORIS

Day 6

Breakfast served and CHECK OUT

In the morning we have a long but another beautiful way back to Yerevan. We shall take the path through the narrow gorge, revealing Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of these tuf stone mountains.

Lunch. Returning to the main highway we shall start driving back to Yerevan.

On the way, we’ll do another stop to taste the wine and enjoy a guided tour at the famous “Areni Winery.” In Armenian, “Wine is bottled poetry”. On the way, we have a short stop as we enter the Syunik Region. Later on magnificently set against the towering slopes of Mount Ararat, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lays Khor Virap Monastery.

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OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 7

Breakfast Served

Today we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,you will also participate in DIVINE LITURGY (only on Sundays). It’s the “religious capital” of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303 AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of the Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. Admire Hripsime andGayane Churches(7th c) named after faithful virgins.

Lunch in one of Educational and Cultural Centers in Etchmiadzin

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 8

Breakfast Served

Visit Aragatsotn Region – this part of Armenia, especially Mt. Aragats, has always attracted the attention of travelers, tourists and geologists due to a tremendous number of historical monuments and beautiful landscapes.

Artashavan – New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”.Saghmosavank Monastery perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River. Visiting the village of Oshakan, you will see the church which is built over the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, who is the founder of the Armenian alphabet, and one of Armenia’s greatest benefactors. Lunch and hospitality with an Armenian Family.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE: which represents the inimitable characteristics of various events, traditions and customs of different regions, as well as national and traditional dance of both Historical Armenia and present day Armenia.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 9

CHECK OUT

Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport

HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!!!

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

Price includes: Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary